Method of forming wheels



3 L. E. WAITE IE'l'HOD OF FORMING WHEELS Original Filed Jan. 3, 1928 rromvzm 1 Patented Aug. 26, 1936 UNITED LSFT ATES LORENZO E. WAITE, or ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To ERIEYMALLEABLE IRON 7 COMPANY, or ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, A ooRroRArIoN'oFr NNsYLvANIA METHOD or romaine WHEEL-S,

Original application filed January 3, 1928, Serial No. 244,110; Divided andt'nis application filed at ly 7, 1929. Seria1No.'33Q,82. 1 s,

The present invention relates to the method of forming wheels having wheel centers,

usually of {malleable cast iron, and a felloe formed of sheet'steel and is a division of my application, Serial Number 244,110, filed- Jan. 3,1928. The making of such wheels presents someproblems, particularly in making a close enough engagement of the parts of the wheel to prevent any loosening of the felloe on the spokes in use and, at the'same time one that does not require too close toler ances in the fabrication of the parts. Fea tures and details of the method will appear 7 from the specification and claims.

' immediately over a spoke.

A preferred embodiment of the wheel illustrating the method by which it: is made is shown in the accompanying drawings as follows Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of a partially completed wheel.

Fig. 2 an end view of one of thespokes.

Fig. 3 a central section through a felloe and spoke prior to theattachment of the spoke to the felloe. v v

Fig. 4 a section on the line 44 in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a plan view of a portion of a felloe Fig. 6 a section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

The wheel spider comprises thehub 1 and spokes 2. The spokes are ordinarily pro-' vvided with openings 3 to reduce the weight.

The spokes are provided with ears 4 extending laterally from their ends. these are opposed and preferably extend oir cumferentially of the felloe. v I

A felloe 5 is preferably of channel shape having the sides 6 and 7 and the inner periphery, or base plate 8. One of the sides usually.

has a beveled edge 9 for receiving a tire rim.

In assembling the wheel, the spider is placed within the felloe, the ends of the spokes engaging the inner periphery of the felloe. The ears are then forced outwardly into the felloe, the efiect of which is to cut a lip 11. in the felloe and force the ears into an opening 10 thus formed. The edges of the walls of the openings have a contour exactly and intimately fitting the edges of the ears and the edges of the ears operating in connection with the walls of the opening lock the felloe Preferably against circumferential, movement on the make a comparatively smooth joint between i the ends of thespokeand the felloe.

Any ordinary pressmay be used for forcing the ears into the felloe, one member of the press engaging the projectingears, as illusa Y trated in Fig. 3, and the other member of the press operating on theinside of the felloe and; I

opposing the first-mentioned member, the "I member within'the felloe havingthe usual openings for receiving the lip 11. What I claim as new is 1. The method of forming wheels which consists in forming an annular felloe and a wheel spider, the spokes of which are adapted to engage the inner periphery of the felloe;

forming a laterally-extending ear upon the outer end of some of the spokes, placing the felloe and spokes together and forcing the ears into the felloe. r

2. The method of forming wheels which consists in forming an annularlfelloe and a" wheel spider, the spokes of which are adapted to engage the inner periphery of the felloe forming a laterally extending ear upon the outer end of each spoke, placing the "spokes within-the felloe and forcing the cars into the felloe.

3. The method of forming; Wheels which consists informing an annular felloe and a wheel spider, the spokes of which are adapted to engage the inner periphery of the felloe; forming a laterally extending ear upon the outer end of some of said spokes, placing the felloe andspokes together and forcing the ears into the felloe cutting an opening in the felloe having walls conforming to the edge of the ear. v

4. The method of forming wheels which consists in forming anannular felloe and a wheel spider, the spokes of which are adapted to engage the inner periphery of the felloe formingfa laterally extending ear upon the outer end of each spoke, placing the spokes within the felloe and forcing the ears into the V walls conforming to the edges of the ears. 5. The method of forming wheels which consists in forming an annular felloe and a wheel spider, the spokes of which are adapted to engage the inner periphery of the felloe forming ears extending laterally upon opposite sides at the outer ends of some of the spokes, placing the felloe and spokes together,

' and forcing the ears'i'ntothe telloe.

1o 6. The method of forming wheels which consists in forming an annular felloe and a wheel spider, the spokes of which are adapted to engage the inner periphery of the felloe forming ears extending laterally upon 0pposite sides at the outer ends of some of the spokes, placing the felloe and spokes together, and forcing the ears into the felloe cutting openingsin the felloe having walls confor1ning tothe edges of the ears.

In testimony whereof I'have hereunto set i my hand. t LORENZO WAITE. 

